Many of you would be aware that this magnificent act of solidarity for the people of West Papua, which was inspired by Kevin Buzacott, Arabunna Aboriginal Elder, is now under way. The Flotilla set sail on 17 August from Cairns to West Papua.

This action reminds me of the 1992 Missao Paz em Timor (Peace Mission to Timor) that was organised and funded by Timor solidarity supporters in Portugal. I was honoured to be invited to participate in that Mission on the MV Lusitania Expresso, which was both a great adventure for those involved and also raised the issue of human rights violations in East Timor internationally just a few months after the Santa Cruz Massacre of 12 November 1991. There were about 120 participants from over 25 nations.

It is important to spread the news about the Flotilla far and wide so that we ensure that the whole world is watching and that the Indonesian military’s genocidal and human rights violations in West Papua are highlighted and become common knowledge.

As Kevin Buzzacott has said: “We have a responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters from across the water. We must bring the water and the fire, the love and the music to heal the country and move in solidarity.